un malin avoué, * a sly dog, M. Chatfinet, a

retired lawyer.' Malin (L. malignus) has often the sensé of * malicious,' 'evil,' * malignant/ etc., but very often of

* élever,' 'sly,' etc., as here. Chatfinet (chat fin) is a significant name applied to the retired lawyer. Avoué most closely corresponds to 'soliciter' with us, and avocat to *barrister.' Ancien signifies * former,' 'retired,' etc. , while vieux signifies ' old ' in years.